A pervert teacher who encouraged teenage girls to engage in sexual activity has been jailed for more than two years.

Alexander Thomas, 30, was convicted by a jury at Swindon Crown Court of causing or inciting four teenage pupils to engage in sexual activity.

But he was found not guilty of directly engaging in sexual activity with two of the girls whilst in a position of trust.

The business studies teacher had pleaded guilty to an eighth count of possessing an indecent image of one of the girls.

Thomas, of Taw Hill, Swindon, received a two and a half year jail sentence and was also placed on the sex offenders' register.

During his trial prosecutors said he tracked down four pupils on Facebook before bombarding them with messages asking for pictures of them in their underwear.

He used the social networking site to "gain the trust" of the female students, who studied at the sixth form where he taught.

Detective Constable Angela Spray, of Wiltshire Police, said Thomas had "groomed" his victims after gaining their "confidence and trust".

"Today Alexander Thomas has been sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment after being found guilty of a number of offences relating to inciting children to engage in sexual activity and abusing his position of trust," she said.

"Thomas worked as a secondary school teacher in Wiltshire where he systematically abused the position of trust he was in to prey on vulnerable, underage children for his own sexual gratification.

"Thomas groomed his victims and encouraged them to engage in sexual acts after gaining their confidence and trust.

"He has refused to take any responsibility for his actions and has forced his victims to relive their suffering and give evidence in court.

"I would like to personally thank all of the victims who have shown courage by coming to court to give evidence.

"This case highlights Wiltshire Police's dedication to work with our partner agencies to safeguard children and vulnerable people in our county.

"The sentence handed down today by the judge reflects the serious nature of these crimes and the impact they have had on the victims."